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CAE · Listening Parts 3 & 4 — Multiple Matching & Multiple Choice · United Kingdom

Listening Parts 3 & 4 — Multiple Matching & Multiple Choice for the CAE Exam — UK candidates

8% of the CAE test plan. Multiple matching across 5 speakers and detailed multiple choice on a longer interview at C1 level. Calibrated for British candidates.

Examiners do not award marks for content alone — they award them for the ability to demonstrate competency in the precise format the test demands. Listening Parts 3 & 4 — Multiple Matching & Multiple Choice sits at roughly 8% of the Cambridge Advanced (C1) content distribution — CAE Listening Parts 3 and 4 require C1-level processing of authentic-style speech. Part 3 (5 speakers, 8 options) tests accurate identification of opinion and attitude against carefully planted distractors. Part 4 (7 questions on an interview) tests understanding of detail, implication, and complex ideas. Pass rates for the CAE are published annually by the awarding body and vary by cohort and locale. For UK candidates preparing for CAE, the calibration of study to local context matters: UK candidates often take exams for both domestic licensure (NMC, GMC) and migration purposes. IELTS UKVI is a separate, higher-stakes track.

Pass rates for CAE (United Kingdom) are published periodically by the awarding body.

Common failure modes

These are the patterns that cause most candidates to lose marks on this topic. Recognising them in advance is half the work.

  • !Part 3: Matching on the most prominent topic word rather than the speaker's actual opinion
  • !Part 4: Selecting factually correct statements that do not answer the specific question asked
  • !Being distracted by distractors — intentionally placed misleading content

Study tips

  • 1For Part 3, listen for the speaker's main point in their turn (usually stated or implied near the end).
  • 2For Part 4, understand the question precisely before listening — know whether you are looking for a fact, opinion, attitude, or implication.
  • 3After the exam, review any wrong answers by reading the transcript (available in practice books) to understand why your answer was wrong.
  • 4In the UK, CAE schedules and reschedules align with state holiday calendars and post-Brexit fee adjustments — confirm pricing on the awarding body's site before booking.

Sample CAE Listening Parts 3 & 4 — Multiple Matching & Multiple Choice questions

These sample items mirror the format and difficulty of real CAE questions. Practice with thousands more on the free Koydo question bank.

  1. 1

    In CAE Listening Part 4, a question asks: "What does the speaker imply about the research?" This requires the candidate to:

    • AFind the sentence that directly states the answer
    • BDraw an inference from what the speaker says without it being explicitly statedCorrect
    • CUse their own knowledge about the topic
    • DSelect the longest answer option
    Why this answer?

    "Imply" specifically means the answer is not directly stated — the candidate must draw an inference from the evidence provided. This distinguishes C1-level comprehension questions from lower-level tests where answers are directly stated and can be matched word-for-word.

Frequently asked questions

Are CAE Listening recordings in British English only?
No. CAE Listening includes recordings with a variety of English accents (British, American, Australian, and non-native professional English). Exposure to authentic recordings from multiple English-speaking countries in your preparation is essential.
What is the CAE pass rate for British candidates?
Pass rates for CAE candidates in United Kingdom are published periodically by the awarding body. Practice questions, full-length simulations, and weak-area drills are the highest-impact way to improve your odds.
How long should British candidates study Listening Parts 3 & 4 — Multiple Matching & Multiple Choice for the CAE?
For most candidates, focused mastery of Listening Parts 3 & 4 — Multiple Matching & Multiple Choice requires 20–40 hours of deliberate practice — drilling sample questions, reviewing failure modes, and timing yourself against exam conditions. UK candidates often take exams for both domestic licensure (NMC, GMC) and migration purposes. IELTS UKVI is a separate, higher-stakes track. Combine Listening Parts 3 & 4 — Multiple Matching & Multiple Choice study with full-length mock exams in the final two weeks before your test date.

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